A total of 78 Nigerian victims of human trafficking, including underage girls and three babies, have returned to the country following their rescue from Côte d’Ivoire, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) announced on Sunday.
The victims, predominantly young women between the ages of 13 and 30, were evacuated aboard an Air Peace flight that landed at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 10:45 pm on Saturday.
They were received by the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, and the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema.
According to a statement by NAPTIP, Bello reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators of human trafficking to justice. “This is a momentous occasion, a day that marks not only the safe return of our beloved daughters, but also a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to the fight against human trafficking,” she said.
The rescue operation followed concerns raised on social media by influencer Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, during a recent visit to Côte d’Ivoire, where he highlighted the plight of stranded Nigerian trafficking victims in Abidjan.
In response, NAPTIP operatives arrested two suspects linked to the syndicate in Abuja and worked with international partners to identify and rescue the victims.
According to Bello, the victims will undergo medical checks, counselling, and rehabilitation, including vocational training tailored to their interests. “We shall commence a serious manhunt for their traffickers and ensure that they are brought to justice. There is no hidden place for them anywhere,” she added.
For his part, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema said his airline flew the victims back to Nigeria at no cost and also sponsored medical treatment for them. “These girls have suffered greatly, and we must all stand with them to ensure they rebuild their lives,” he stated.
Visibly distressed and fatigued, several victims bore signs of abuse and exploitation, with four young girls found to be pregnant. One of them, identified only as Clara, recounted her ordeal. “I saw hell in Abidjan… Human life is worth nothing in the hands of those madams,” she said. She praised the NAPTIP Director General for offering comfort and hope, saying her words “made my spirit happy again.”
NAPTIP pledged to continue its efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and support victims, while urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
